Phase I study of DNX-2401 (delta-24-RGD) oncolytic adenovirus: replication and immunotherapeutic effects in recurrent malignant glioma

Frederick F. Lang, Charles Conrad, Candelaria Gomez-Manzano, W. K. Alfred Yung, Raymond Sawaya, Jeffrey S. Weinberg, Sujit S. Prabhu, Ganesh Rao, Gregory N. Fuller, Kenneth D. Aldape, Joy Gumin, Luis M. Vence, Ignacio Wistuba, Jaime Rodriguez-Canales, Pamela A. Villalobos, Clemens M.F. Dirven, Sonia Tejada, Ricardo D. Valle, Marta M. Alonso, Brett EwaldJoanna J. Peterkin, Frank Tufaro, Juan Fueyo

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457 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose DNX-2401 (Delta-24-RGD; tasadenoturev) is a tumor-selective, replication-competent oncolytic adenovirus. Preclinical studies demonstrated antiglioma efficacy, but the effects and mechanisms of action have not been evaluated in patients. Methods A phase I, dose-escalation, biologic-end-point clinical trial of DNX-2401 was conducted in 37 patients with recurrent malignant glioma. Patients received a single intratumoral injection of DNX-2401 into biopsy-confirmed recurrent tumor to evaluate safety and response across eight dose levels (group A). To investigate the mechanism of action, a second group of patients (group B) underwent intratumoral injection through a permanently implanted catheter, followed 14 days later by en bloc resection to acquire post-treatment specimens. Results In group A (n = 25), 20% of patients survived . 3 years from treatment, and three patients had a $ 95% reduction in the enhancing tumor (12%), with all three of these dramatic responses resulting in . 3 years of progression-free survival from the time of treatment. Analyses of post-treatment surgical specimens (group B, n = 12) showed that DNX-2401 replicates and spreads within the tumor, documenting direct virus-induced oncolysis in patients. In addition to radiographic signs of inflammation, histopathologic examination of immune markers in post-treatment specimens showed tumor infiltration by CD8 + and T-bet + cells, and transmembrane immunoglobulin mucin-3 downregulation after treatment. Analyses of patient-derived cell lines for damage-associated molecular patterns revealed induction of immunogenic cell death in tumor cells after DNX-2401 administration. Conclusion Treatment with DNX-2401 resulted in dramatic responses with long-term survival in recurrent high-grade gliomas that are probably due to direct oncolytic effects of the virus followed by elicitation of an immune-mediated antiglioma response.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1419-1427
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology
Volume36
Issue number14
DOIs
StatePublished - May 10 2018

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Oncology
  • Cancer Research

MD Anderson CCSG core facilities

  • Clinical Trials Office

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